Broadcasting Archives

3. Start an Internet
Radio Station. Easy to do. Reach your community and the
world. Many traditional radio stations stream their programming
and there are
many thousands of internet only stations. There are a number of
streaming companies offering various packages and options. Music
licensing fees must be considered
and keep changing. Internet radio is limited to computers and various
electronic devices. Broadcast
radio is still the way to reach people in their cars, when they are
eating, or jogging.

4. Leasing
an FM radio station subchannel. "Piggyback" on any
existing station's signal. Subchannels have been used for years by
"Reading Services for the Blind."
Special fixed-tuned
radios are necessary' they can be portable. Sale of these radios can
provide additional income for the station operator and commercials can
be aired.
Leasing a subchannel can be expensive and varies from city to city. For
example, WSB 98.5 in Atlanta charges $10,000 per month.

5. Leasing
a Digital Radio Channel.This is a new option. All
full-power TV stations are now Digital with the ability to have TV and
radio sub-channels. There are now
HD digital radio stations with sub-channels. DT radios are not common yet and cost several hundred
dollars. Both Digital TV and radio stations can multi-cast -
transmit
several channels on the same frequency. One LPFM station
is already being carried by a full-power Digital station on one of its
channels. This is a option now that will be
more popular in the
future.

5. Carriage
by a cable TV system.Virtually all cable systems carry radio
stations - either as the audio for a local classified ad channel or as a
separate audio channel.
Some LPFM stations are being carried by
cable systems at no charge on their "classified ad channels".

6. Carrier
Current Radio. Also called "leaky wire" radio. The
signal is transmitted a few feet from a radiating wire in the ceiling or
college dorms, retirement homes, or other
"communal"
housing. This form of "broadcasting" is limited to the
dorms / residences of the participating organization.

"Pirate
Radio" - Not the Way to Start an LPFM (See
FCC
BSTA-20061206AFZ)

2/9/07 -
New Licensing Loophole Involves Influential Senator (http://www.diymedia.net/archive/0207.htm#021207)"Radio Goldfield," a pirate station run by seasoned
citizen Rod Moses out of his trailer in Goldfield,
Nevada (population 440) has received special
temporary authority from the FCC to operate a 100-watt FM outlet
without an official license until such time as the FCC opens another
LPFM filing window. How did he do it? Senate Majority Leader Harry
Reid's ringing endorsement, in correspondence to the agency,
probably sealed the deal:

Radio
Goldfield programming brought regular weather reports to this
high-desert area of Nevada, where conditions can abruptly change
in often times dramatic ways....Radio Goldfield programming also
included timely and reliable information on law enforcement,
public safety and school activities that helped the residents of
Goldfield stay informed and engaged in their community. Moreover
the station broadcasted Sunday religious services that were
listened to faithfully by those living too far from a place of
worship or those simply too feeble to make a weekly journey there
practicable.

That,
plus oldies pumped from an MP3 player. Rock on, Rod. I can't find
record of this STA on file in the FCC's
databases, but Moses did receive a warning
letter from the Enforcement Bureau in August of last year for
broadcast piracy. He shut down within 24 hours of contact, however,
which appears to have helped his cause (yet also runs somewhat
contrary to LPFM law). Special
Temporary Authority status typically runs for six-month
periods, with a "limited number" of renewals
available.

Q&A "How to Start & Operate a Community Radio Station"What types of "community radio" exist? What is LPFM? Can I have an LPFM station in my community? How large an area will my station cover? Where should I locate my station? (AM) What are my programming options? How much will it cost to start the station?
How much will it cost to operate? Who can apply? What if I do not have a non-profit organization? How long must my organization has been in operation? What can serve on the organization's board? When can I apply? How can I apply? What happens after the FCC filing window? What happens if several groups all want the same frequency? What happens when I get my construction permit? What equipment do I need and where do I get it? Where do I mount my antenna? How do I select the right antenna and transmitter?

______________________________________________________________________________________________________
Low Power FM was created
by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in January
2000. Non-profit organizations were permitted to file for
stations during four "FCC filing windows" from June 2000
to June 2001. Today, 858 LPFM are on-the-air; of these, 52%
are operated by churches and Christian ministries, primarily with
music programming. Formats range from KGOD-LP airing Scripture
24/7 without commentary to stations offering "God's
County," (Christian country music format).

Christian Community Broadcasters was founded by John and
Henri Broomall in early 2000 to assist churches, ministries,
schools, and other community groups file for, construct, and operate
LPFM stations. CCB has assisted more than one hundred
"communicasters" (community LPFM / NCE groups), from basic filings to
the most complex technical and regulatory challenges. This
primary purpose of this website and its various links is to provide
current and accurate information about LPFM, equipment, programming,
music licensing, and underwriting ("paying the
bills"). Please read and then contact CCB with
your questions: 678
880-0676 orJohnBroomall @ Yahoo.com